Carl W. Kenney II is an award winning columnist and novelist. He is committed to engaging readers into a meaningful discussion related to matters that impact faith and society. He grapples with pondering the impact faith has on public space while seeking to understand how public space both hinders and enhances the walk of faith.

Monday, June 3, 2013

"Moral Monday": It's personal

The bullies in Raleigh have to be stopped. Yes, they
must be stopped by “any means necessary”.My Malcolm X alter ego just showed up.

The outcry from disgruntled citizens is picking up
pace.It’s hideous what Republican
lawmakers have done in North Carolina.Yes, Hell yes, it’s immoral.The
zeal of God is screaming for justice, and those with sense enough to read between
the lines of political bull stank are showing up to fight the power.

So far, 153 have been arrested.They show up every Monday at the North
Carolina state legislative building to cry for change.

They call it “Moral Monday.”

The singing and chanting feels like old school, with
warnings of pending arrest if protesters refuse to stop the clamor.General Assembly Police Chief Jeff Weaver
shouts like a resurrected Bull Conner with bullhorn in hand to remind
protesters they are trespassing.

You are left feeling Weaver doesn’t want to play this
weekly game of forcing people to go to jail for no other reason than expressing
their ire toward those who use power like an assault weapon.Those shouting for justice are enraged over a
series of polices pushed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly. The
list of woes includes budget cuts to education, abortion access, immigration
rights, voting law changes and health care policy.

The mounting
rise of resistance sends a clear message – this is a Civil War.The backlash is met with an arrogant
indifference that escalates the voices of those crying for justice.Lawmakers haven’t spoken.They remain glued to their inflated
assumptions of privilege while refusing to listen to the pleas of those on the
outside.

They could care less.

They function with a pride that fails to concede the
handwriting on the wall.Yes, judgment
day is coming soon.Yes, their reign of
terror will end soon.Those screaming
hold the power of the ballot, and failure to acknowledge their presence will
brew like lava waiting to explode.This
thing is rapidly building.It will not
stop.Soon, it will be out of control.

No statement from the Governor.No word coming from those who cast votes like
a madman with a whip.Sorry folks, this
is not your granddaddy’s Dixie.That
approach may get you elected, but will it be enough to keep you in that job
that feeds your conceit?

I plan to join the line of protest.I plan to take my seat next to others willing
to be arrested.I’m aware of the
consequences related to taking that seat.More like me need to stand, but people like me take a greater risk when
we decide to fight the powers willing to suck life out of those who scream to
be seen.

What is the price of protest?Will it keep us from finding work?Will it result in our names being placed on a
secretive list designed to punish trouble makers like me?What happens when you fight the state? Is it
worth the risk of not being able to eat?

Hell yes! It’s worth being locked out and kicked
out.Hell yes! I’m willing to fight the
power.It’s worth fighting for those who
can’t find work and are forced to contend with less money in unemployment
insurance.After having money taken out
of their checks, the state has imposed limits on how much they can
receive.I fight for those without
medical insurance.I fight because that
person is me!

I fight despite understanding how it feels to be
pigeon-holed as a radical and facing unemployment due to being placed on that
secretive list.I fight despite knowing
the dire consequences of being labeled radical devoid of a safety net to pay
the bills.

That’s the real revolution!It’s not for those who can afford the fight.It’s for those who suffer when they fight!

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Carl W. Kenney II

Carl was named the best serious columnist of 2011 by the North Carolina Press Association for his work with the News & Observer's community paper The Durham News and in 2016 by the Missouri Press Association for his columns in the Columbia Missourian. He is a columnist with the News & Observer and Co-Executive Producer of "God of the Oppressed" an upcoming documentary film on black liberation theology. He is a former Adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri - School of Journalism and Adjunct Instructor at Duke University, the Center for Documentary Studies. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He furthered his education at Duke University and attained a Master of Divinity. He was named a Fellow in Pastoral Leadership Development at the Princeton Theological Seminary on May 14, 2005. He is a freelance writer with his commentary appearing in The Washington Post, Religious News Services,The Independent Weekly and The Durham Herald-Sun. Carl is the author of two novels: “Preacha’ Man” and the sequel “Backslide”.
He has led congregations in Missouri and North Carolina